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Wolves storm to victory

The windstorm Thursday resulted in blackouts throughout Port Orchard, including the high school. The scoreboard at the school wasnt even functional 10 minutes before kickoff.

And five days of consistent rain left a combination of puddles, mud and wet grass at Joe Knowles Field.

The less-than-ideal conditions actually might have been the perfect storm for South Kitsap to earn a 7-0 Narrows League Bridge Division win against rival Gig Harbor.

South (6-2 overall, 4-0 Bridge Division) earned its first win against the Tides since 2002 and play at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday at Mount Tahoma High School.

Neither team was able to move the ball much as they combined for 12 fumbles -- three resulted in turnovers -- and the game was scoreless at halftime. But one of those mistakes finally shifted the momentum as the Tides botched a punt snap to give the Wolves possession at the GH 21-yard line. Stephen Tucker, who had a game-high 146 yards on 20 carries, scored on the ensuing play.

The Tides (6-2, 3-1) had several scoring opportunities in the red zone throughout the game, but failed to capitalize. The Tides first possession started at the SK 30-yard line after a 13-yard punt, but they produced just six yards on four plays before turning the ball over.

With more than 5 minutes left in the second quarter, GH defensive back Tanner Davis intercepted a pass to give his team possession at the SK 46. The drive later was stopped, though, when the Tides failed to converted on fourth-and-two at the Wolves' 25.

GH also began consecutive drives late in the third quarter at the Wolves' 29 on a Dane Burki interception and then at the SK 29 on a fumble recovery, but couldn't produce a first down on either series.

The Wolves' second straight shutout -- their most in a season since they also had two in 2003 and first back-to-back ones since 1999 -- never came easy with the wet field. Even as they tried to rundown the clock midway through the final period, four consecutive exchanges between the center and quarterback were fumbled, but none were lost. The teams combined for 12 fumbles and three resulted in turnovers.

The Tides didn't attempt a pass until they had first-and-10 on their own 26 with 1:54 left. Chet Thompson connected with Spencer McKay for a 7-yard gain and later in the drive found Davis for a 27-yard completion. That took them found to the SK 37, but the Tides couldn't move the ball any further. A grounding penalty and fumble set up fourth-and-25 and Thompson's pass fell incomplete to thwart any comeback hope. GH had won the past four in the series by a combined score of 100-47.

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